Plymouth

Once the capital of Montserrat, Plymouth was abandoned after the volcanic eruptions in 1995, which devastated the area. Today, it’s a ghost town, with remnants of its former buildings and a stark landscape that tells the story of the island’s volcanic activity. The area serves as a reminder of the island’s resilience and the ongoing recovery efforts since the eruptions. Regardless of being abandoned and without any residence, Plymouth remains the de jure capital of Montserrat.

Former resort in Plymouth (16.708298 , -62.221803)

Soufrière Hills and Plymouth below (16.703996 , -62.221992)

Tours are arranged through one of many taxi and tours service on the island. A list of authorized services can be found at the Montserrat Tourism Authority.

In 2015, during our first visit to Montserrat, the tour of the island was arranged through the Galley Bay Resort and Spa in Antigua. We hopped on the ferry (a 2-plus hour boat ride back then), and were greeted at the docks by Mr. Winston Telesford. The tour made stops at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, the National Trust, lunch at The Attic and of course tours of the former Montserrat Springs Hotel.

It was that day, Friday October 2nd, 2015 that we fell in love with Montserrat and its people.

View of Plymouth from the Caribbean Sea (16.705459 , -62.237137)

Wild Donkeys in Plymouth (16.712683 , -62.223576)

Former apartments in Plymouth (16.707657 , -62.221243)

In 2026, the government of Montserrat opened up several areas South of the exclusion zone for daytime tours. Tours must be arranged through a certified guide through the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) in St Johns.

During our visit, we signed up with Norman Cassell of Namcas Tours, and could not be happier. Norman had great knowledge of the city and was able to share his personal stories about Plymouth. Photographs throughout the tour helped put in perspective exactly what exactly was below our feet. We spent several hours with Norman as we drove around Plymouth, up to St George’s Hill and Fort Saint George.

If you have time, the tour is a must! You can contact Norman directly at 1-664-492-1672 if you would like to schedule a trip.